As the UK’s Competition and Market Authority investigation into Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard continues, Today, they have released its Issues Statement and are calling for anyone in the public to provide their opinion on the deal. “The CMA’s phase 1 decision (the Phase 1 Decision)1 contains much of the
detailed background to this issues statement. We intend to use the evidence obtained during the phase 1 investigation, but we will also be gathering and considering further evidence. We are publishing this statement to assist parties submitting evidence to our phase 2 investigation. We currently intend to focus our investigation in the areas in which the CMA found in the Phase 1 Decision that the Merger gives rise to a realistic prospect of an SLC. This does not preclude the consideration of any other issues which may be identified during this investigation, and we invite the Parties and third parties to notify us if there are any additional relevant issues which they believe we should consider.”
Last week, the CMA released statement breaking down its concerns regarding the acquisition. They are concerned that the deal will harm PlayStation and other multi-game subscription offerings as Microsoft may withhold Activision Blizzard content from them. The CMA is also concerned that Microsoft will out-compete rivals such as Google, Amazon, and Nvidia in the game streaming space.
Details were given about Microsoft’s plans for an Xbox mobile gaming store that can rival Apple and Google.
“At this point we invite anyone, including members of the public, to share their views with us,” the UK regulator said.
As the CMA obtains and reviews evidence, it will eventually hold hearings with Microsoft and Activision Blizzard about its findings. “If we think the merger could have a negative impact on competition, we also start thinking about potential solutions to those concerns,” the governing body added.
After the CMA has “a good understanding of the business of the organizations” involved with the acquisition, they will then publish provisional findings.